Mercer Island, WA Creation of a City-Wide Carbon Footprint

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Mercer Island, WA, US

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Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 5/7/07

Source File: http://www.mrsc.org/ords/M46r1389.pdf

Text:

RESOLUTION NO. 1389
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MERCER ISLAND, WASHINGTON PROMOTING A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY BY ENCOURAGING THE REDUCTION IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THROUGH CITY OPERATIONS AND THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION

A. In 2006, the Mercer Island City Council approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment to add the following text to the City’s Vision Statement:

Sustainable Community
Mercer Island strives to be a sustainable community: Meeting the needs of the present while preserving the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We consider the relationship between the decisions we make as a community and their long-term impacts before committing to them. We understand that our strength is dependent on an open decision-making process that takes into account the economic, environmental and social well-being of our community.

B. In 2006, the Mercer Island City Council adopted a budget policy entitled “Sustainability”, directing City staff to “undertake efforts to curtail its consumption of scarce resources including electric energy, water, fossil fuels and land fill space” and set new targets for conservation of such natural resources (“Sustainability Policy”).

C. The U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted resolutions approving the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, calling for cities, communities and the federal government to take actions to reduce global warming.

D. The Mercer Island City Council believes it to be in the best interests of the health and welfare of the Mercer Island community to take the following action. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mercer Island City Council as follows:

1. Sustainability Program. The City Council will strive to meet its Vision Statement in the Comprehensive Plan and Sustainability Policy by including a Sustainability Work Program in its 5 Year Work Plan. As part of this Sustainability Program, staff will propose various targets to Council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in City operations and educate the community so citizens will take similar actions. The Sustainability Work Program should include the following, subject to Council separately debating and approving the necessary funds to implement the following actions:

  • Create a carbon footprint on City fleet operations and set reduction targets
  • Create a City-wide carbon footprint and set reduction targets
  • Continue to enforce land use codes that reduce sprawl by encouraging new housing in the Town Center and by creating compact, walkable urban communities in the Town Center.
  • Promote transportation options such as bicycle paths and commute trip reduction programs.
  • Convert City fleet to hybrid or biofuels to reduce carbon footprint
  • Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community
  • Maintain healthy urban forests through the city’s vegetation management plan
  • Educate City employees and the public about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming
  • Once regulations exist setting maximum carbon level, create carbon banking program allowing the City to sell portions of its green footprint to third parties

2. Goal. The City Council will strive to meet or exceed the following greenhouse gas emission reduction target: 80% below current levels by 2050.

3. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect and be in force upon signing and publication.

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